Header beam of a vehicle frame and method of forming the same

ABSTRACT

A header beam couples between A-pillars of a vehicle frame. The header beam is formed from a generally straight beam segment that is extruded to have a hollow body portion with supportive legs extending within the hollow interior along the length of the beam segment, defining uninterrupted forward and rearward box sections for supporting continuous load paths on the header beam. The end portions of the beam segment are clamped and the beam segment is stretch bent to form a curvature between the end portions that remain generally straight. A front flange extends forward along the body portion and is struck proximate the end portions to form an edge that is parallel to the curvature formed between the end portions. The end portions are attached to the A-pillars and the edge of the front flange is attached to a windshield.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 14/920,345 filed Oct. 22, 2015, entitled HEADER BEAM OF A VEHICLEFRAME AND METHOD OF FORMING THE SAME, which is a divisional of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/062,510 filed Oct. 24, 2013, entitledHEADER BEAM OF A VEHICLE FRAME AND METHOD OF FORMING THE SAME, theentire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a vehicle header beam, andmore particularly relates to a hollow header beam that is formed from anelongated extruded beam.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is generally understood that vehicle frames include a header beamthat spans between the A-pillars of the vehicle frame to support avehicle roof and a windshield. To provide a consistent curvature acrossthe header beam for attaching the windshield, steal header beams aretypically formed with a stamping process that may cause a significantamount of scrap material to be generated. Also, it is common for headerbeams have multiple attachment features along the length of the headerbeam that can have a tendency to reduce the structural integrity of thebeams, making the use of lightweight extruded metal on header beams moredifficult. As it becomes more desirable for vehicles to be built withlighter materials that also adhere to higher safety standards, it isincreasingly desirable to utilize components made with extruded metaland with fewer structural discontinuities, while maintaining or reducingcost of the components.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, a method of forming aheader beam for a vehicle frame includes cutting an extruded member toform a generally straight beam with a length. The beam has a hollowinterior with a forward leg and a rearward leg extending within thehollow interior continuously along the length. The opposing end portionsof the beam are secured with a clamping device. The beam is stretchedand bent to form a three-dimensional curvature in the beam between theopposing end portions. The secured opposing end portions of the beamremain generally straight. The opposing end portions are attached to apair of A-pillars of the vehicle frame, such that the curvature ispositioned to span forward and between the pair of A-pillars.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method offorming a vehicle header includes providing a generally straight beamwith a hollow body portion and a flange extending forward therefrom. Theend portions of the beam are clamped. The beam is bent to form acurvature that conforms to a windshield, and the end portions remaininggenerally straight. The flange is struck proximate the end portions toform an edge parallel to the curvature. The end portions are attached toopposing A-pillars.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a vehicleframe includes A-pillars and a header beam coupled between theA-pillars. The header beam has a hollow body portion extending a lengthof the header beam. The body portion includes a central portion having acurvature conforming to a windshield and end portions that couple withthe A-pillars and have a generally straight orientation. A front flangeextends forward along the body portion and has an edge parallel to thecurvature proximate the end portions.

These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present inventionwill be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art uponstudying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a vehicle having a header beam,according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the header beam attached to andspanning between a corresponding pair of A-pillars, according to oneembodiment;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the header beam showing portions of oneembodiment of a roof panel covering the header beam;

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the header beam;

FIG. 5 is a top perspective end view showing a hollow interior of theheader beam;

FIG. 5A is an end view of the header beam, as shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 6 is a top perspective cross-sectional view of the header beamshowing the hollow interior proximate a central portion of the headerbeam;

FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional end view of the header beam, as shown inFIG. 6;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the header beam showing a forward leg and arearward leg, in dashed lines, extending within the hollow interioralong the length of the header beam;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a method of forming the header beam alongwith illustrations of the header beam at each step of the method,according one embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a method of forming the header beam,according an additional embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,”“left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivativesthereof shall relate to the invention as illustrated in FIG. 1. However,it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternativeorientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It isalso to be understood that the specific devices and processesillustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the followingspecification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive conceptsdefined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and otherphysical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed hereinare not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly stateotherwise.

Referring to FIGS. 1-9, reference numeral 10 generally designates aheader beam for a frame 12 of a vehicle body 14. The vehicle body 14includes a roof panel 16 and a pair of A-pillars 18 that each have a topend 20 with an upper surface 22. The hollow header beam 10 includes acurved central portion 24 of a length 26 of the header beam 10 that hasa curvature 28 protruding forward to conform to a windshield 30. Endportions 32 of the length 26 of the header beam 10 proximate opposingends 34 of the central portion 24 couple with the upper surface 22 ofthe pair of A-pillars 18 and have a generally straight orientationrelative to the curvature 28 of the central portion 24. A front flange36 extends forward along the length 26 of the header beam 10 and has anedge parallel to the curvature 28 proximate the end portions 32 forengaging the windshield 30. The front flange 36 also has a center region38 protruding forward that includes a series of notches 40 spaced alongthe center region 38 for coupling with the roof panel 16.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a vehicle 42 is shown having one embodiment ofthe header beam 10 of the present invention. As generally understood inthe art, the frame 12 of the vehicle 42 includes a series of pillarsthat extend upward around an interior cabin of the vehicle 42 to supportthe roof panel 16 or portions thereof. The pillars, in the illustratedembodiment, include the A-pillars 18, B-pillars 44, and C-pillars 46.However, it is conceivable that the vehicle 42 may be another embodimentor type of vehicle, such as a car or van, that may include more or fewerpillars to vertically support the roof panel 16 or header beam 10 or tootherwise border the interior cabin of the vehicle 42. Further, it iscontemplated that the roof panel 16 and the header beam 10 may bealternatively configured with a moon roof assembly, a convertible topassembly, or other alternative roof configuration, as generallyunderstood by one having ordinary skill in the art.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the A-pillars 18 each couple with andvertically support a front end 48 of a longitudinal roof rail 50 thatextends rearward from the header beam 10 to support the lateral sides ofthe roof panel 16 and any additional cross members that may spanlaterally across the vehicle 42 in generally parallel alignment with theheader beam 10. The longitudinal roof rails 50 integrally couple withthe top ends 20 of the A-pillars 18 to form an angled connection,whereby the A-pillars 18 extend down and forward at an angled design ofthe windshield 30 (FIG. 1). The header beam 10 generally spans betweenthe angled connections between the A-pillars 18 and the longitudinalroof rails 50. It is contemplated that the A-pillars 18 and thelongitudinal roof rails 50 may be an integral piece along with otherpillars or cross members of the vehicle frame 12 or may be individualparts that are attached directly together or separated by otherstructural members. Furthermore, it is understood that in theillustrated embodiment the A-pillars 18 and longitudinal roof rails 50,along with other parts of the vehicle 42 that have corresponding partson opposing lateral sides of the vehicle 42, are substantially mirrorimages of each other, such that illustration and description of one maybe inferred to the other, unless specified to the contrary.

With further reference to FIG. 2, the top ends 20 of the A-pillars 18have inward protruding attachment members 52 that define the uppersurface 22 of the A-pillars 18 for coupling with the header beam 10. Theattachment members 52 are configured to have a shape that conforms tothe end portions 32 of the header beam 10 for attachment therewith. Morespecifically, the header beam 10 has a hollow body portion 54 with arear flange 58 and the front flange 36 on opposing sides of the bodyportion 54 proximate the end portions 32 of the header beam 10 thatcouple with raised areas of the attachment member 52. Accordingly, acavity 64 on the attachment members 52 couples with a bottom surface 56of the body portion 54 of the header beam 10 and a raised upper portion60 and a raised lower portion 62 on opposing sides of the cavity 64engage the rear flange 58 and the front flange 36 of the header beam 10,respectively.

As also shown in FIG. 2, the connection between the attachment members52 and the header beam 10 is done by a series of self-tapping rivets 63that extend though the body portion 54 of the header beam 10 proximatethe end portions 32 and attach within the cavity 64 of the attachmentmember 52. In other embodiments, it is contemplated that the connectionbetween the attachment members 52 and the header beam 10 may be done byadditional or alternative means, including welding, fastening, and othergenerally appreciated means of attachment by one having ordinary skillin the art. It is also contemplated that the attachment members 52 maybe separate components from the A-pillars 18 that are attached to eitherthe header beam 10 or the A-pillars 18 before the header beam 10 isattached to the A-pillars 18. The attachment members 52 in otherconceivable embodiments may also protrude inward more or less than theillustrated embodiment or be entirely encompassed within the width ofthe A-pillars 18.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the central portion 24 of the header beam 10spans between the end portions 32 that attach to the A-pillars 18 (FIG.2) and sweeps forward in the curvature 28 (FIG. 4) corresponding to thecurvature of the windshield 30 (FIG. 1). The roof panel 16 attaches tothe header beam 10 and conforms to a front edge 66 (FIG. 4) of theheader beam 10. The front flange 36 of the header beam 10 protrudesgenerally horizontally from the body portion 54 and extends along thelength 26 of the header beam 10. The front flange 36 is formed toprotrude proximate the center region 38, defining a tongue portion thatprotrudes forward a greater distance than the front flange 36 proximatethe end portions 32. Accordingly, the center region 38 of the frontflange 36 has a depth that accommodates the series of notches 40 alongthe front edge 66 to provide points of attachment between a forward edge17 of the roof panel 16 and the front edge 66 of the header beam 10. Thefront edge 66 of the front flange 36 is also formed proximate the endportions 32 to be parallel to the curvature 28 of the body portion 54 ofthe header beam 10 proximate the central portion 24. Accordingly, thefront flange 36 proximate the end portions 32 is adapted to couple withthe curvature of the windshield 30 (FIG. 1). It is contemplated that thetongue portion may be omitted or alternatively shaped, such that thefront edge 66 may be parallel to the curvature 28 (FIG. 4) of the bodyportion 54 proximate the center region 38 and thereby provide aconsistent curvature of the front edge 66 along the length 26 of theheader beam 10.

Also, as shown in FIG. 3, a number of openings 68 are formed on a topsurface 70 of the body portion 54, proximate the center region 38 of thefront flange 36, that extend into a hollow interior 72 (FIG. 5) of theheader beam 10. The openings 68 facilitate access to hollow interior 72for providing support to the bottom wall 88 when deforming to the bottomwall 88 to stamp or otherwise create the inward depressions 104, asexplained in more detail below. Specifically, the openings 68 include acenter opening 74 having a generally rectangular shape and a rearprotrusion extending forward into the rectangular shape at approximatelya midpoint of the header beam 10. The rear protrusion may be used toattach a portion of the roof structure and thereby support the roofpanel 16. The openings 68 also include a pair of lateral openings 76that are positioned at equally spaced locations on opposing sides of thecenter opening 74 and similarly include a generally rectangular shape.Several access and attachment apertures 78 are also formed through thetop surface 70 proximate the end portions 32 of the header beam 10.These apertures 78 include two distal apertures 80 on each end portion32 and a grouping of four circular apertures 82 slightly inward from thetwo distal apertures 80 and the end portions 32 of the header beam 10.These apertures 78 are used for inserting and connecting theself-tapping rivets 63 (FIG. 2), or other conceivable fasteners, throughthe header beam 10 and into the attachment members 52 on the A-pillars18. However, it is also contemplated that they may be used to attachportions of the roof panel 16 or to insert welding instruments forforming welds between the header beam 10 and the A-pillars 18.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the header beam 10 is shown having interiorconnection apertures 83 formed through the bottom surface 56 of the bodyportion 54 proximate the end portions 32 of the header beam 10. Theinterior connection apertures 83 include an outer rectangular portionand an inner circular portion that combine to form the shape of theinterior connection apertures 83. The connection apertures are each usedfor attaching a sun visor assembly to the header beam 10 and may also beused to interface and align the header beam 10 with the attachmentmembers 52. A number of small locating and clearance holes 84 are alsoformed, such as by milling or drilling, through the bottom surface 56 ofthe body portion 54. The locating and clearance holes 84 are spaced in agenerally symmetrical arrangement along the length 26 (FIG. 3) of theheader beam 10 between the interior connection apertures 83 for aligningand positioning the header beam 10 on the vehicle 42 (FIG. 1). It iscontemplated that the holes 84 may be used for connection with interiortrim pieces or other vehicle components. It is also understood that thesize and shape of the holes, apertures, and openings on the top andbottom surfaces 70, 56 may be altered in additional embodiments toaccommodate various potential attachment points between the header beam10 and the roof panel 16, A-pillars 18, and other conceivable vehiclecomponents.

As also illustrated in FIG. 4, the curvature 28 of the central portion24 of the header beam 10 is accentuated by dashed lines shown extendingbeyond the central portion 24 to intersect with the end portions 32,thereby illustrating the discontinuous shape along the overall length 26of the header beam 10. Similarly, the generally straight orientation 33of the body portion 54 of the end portions 32 is shown with dashed linesextending beyond the length 26 of the header beam 10 to similarlyillustrate the divergence from the curvature 28 of the central portion24 of the header beam 10. Further, the front edge 66 of the front flange36 is shown extending beyond the length 26 of the header beam 10 inparallel alignment with the curvature 28 of the central portion 24,thereby diverging from the straight orientation 33 of the body portion54 of the end portions 32. In the illustrated embodiment, the curvature28 of the central portion 24 is a substantially continuous arc along acircumference, although it is understood that the curvature 28 inadditional embodiments may not be consistent along the central portion24, such as being more exaggerated near the end portions 32 andstraighter in the center or more or less exaggerated at other variouslocations along the central portion 24. However, the end portions 32will remain substantially straight in orientation.

The body portion 54 of the header beam 10, as shown in FIGS. 5-5A, ishollow, and thereby bordered by a top wall 86, a bottom wall 88, a frontwall 90, and a rear wall 92 to form the hollow interior 72. The frontflange 36 extends forward from a midregion of the front wall 90, andsimilarly, the rear flange 58 extends rearward from a midregion of therear wall 92. A forward leg 94 and a rearward leg 96 extend linearlybetween the top wall 86 to the bottom wall 88 and span continuouslywithin the hollow interior 72 along the length 26 of the header beam 10.The forward and rearward legs 94, 96, also referred to as interiorwalls, are formed at outward angles between the top and bottom walls 86,88 to decrease the amount of unsupported portions of the top wall 86during bending of the header beam 10, and to increase the availablebottom surface 56 of the header beam 10 for joining and attaching otherattachment components. As such, in the illustrated embodiment, theforward and rearward legs 94, 96 angle away from each other as theyextend downward from the top wall 86 to the bottom wall 88, attaching tothe bottom wall 88 near the front and rear walls 90, 92, respectively.The hollow interior 72 is thereby divided by the forward and rearwardlegs 94, 96 into a central area 98, a forward area 100, and a rearwardarea 102, whereby the forward and rearward areas 100, 102 have similarsizes and define uninterrupted box sections that are void of attachmentapertures or other interruptions. It is understood that in additionalembodiments more or fewer legs may be formed to vertically extend withinthe hollow interior 72 to alternatively support the top wall 86 awayfrom the bottom wall 88.

As illustrated in FIGS. 6-6A, the central area 98 of the hollow interior72 has an inward depression 104 that protrudes into the central area 98and provides an inset surface on the bottom surface 56 for matingcomponents of the vehicle 42 (FIG. 1) that may require an alternativeangle of attachment from the surrounding portions of the bottom surface56. The inward depression 104 includes a first surface 106 that isangled inward proximate the forward leg 94 and a second surface 108 thatis angled inward proximate the rearward leg 96. The first and secondsurfaces 106, 108 of the inward depression 104 are generally planar andmeet at an angle that is furthest into the hollow interior 72. In theillustrated embodiment, the inward depression 104 and correspondinginset surface extend continuously along a section of the central portion24 (FIG. 4) of the header beam 10. However, it is understood that theinward depression 104 may be segmented at various points along theheader beam 10, have an alternative shape, or may otherwise not beincluded if mating components of the vehicle 42 (FIG. 1) do not requirea surface with an alternative angle of attachment.

As further shown in FIG. 7, the forward and rearward legs 94, 96 extendcontinuously within the hollow interior 72 along the length 26 of theheader beam 10. The corresponding forward and rearward areas 100, 102 ofthe hollow interior 72, accordingly, extend along the length 26 of theheader beam 10 to define continuous and uninterrupted box sections 109that have a tubular shape and extend along the front and rear edges ofthe body portion 54. The uninterrupted box sections 109 do not containany holes, apertures, or other discontinuities along the length 26 ofthe header beam 10 to provide continuous load paths along the length 26of the header beam 10 and to provide consistent structural supportbetween the A-pillars 18 and along the front of the roof panel 16. Theuninterrupted box sections 109 are thereby designed to absorb impactforces and to carry loads placed on the header beam 10 from normaloperating conditions of the vehicle 42. The central area 98 between theuninterrupted box sections 109 secures the uninterrupted box sections109 to each other to prevent splaying or torsion between theuninterrupted box sections 109. Also, due to the uninterrupted boxsections 109 carrying the primary loads on the header beam 10, theapertures 78, holes 68, 84, (FIG. 4) and other features formed on thetop and bottom walls 86, 88 do not structurally compromise the headerbeam 10.

Referring now to FIG. 8, a flowchart illustrates one embodiment of themethod of forming the header beam 10. At step 110, a continuous beam 112is extruded from an extrusion die 114 to have the hollow interior 72(FIG. 5) with the forward and rearward legs 94, 96 (FIG. 5A) extendingcontinuously within the hollow interior 72 to define the central,forward, and rearward areas 98, 100,102 (FIG. 5A). The continuous beam112 is cut at a cutting station 116 to form a beam segment 118 with endsgenerally perpendicular to the length 26 of the beam segment 118. Thebeam segments 118 are then accumulated in stacks for transportation. Thecontinuous beam 112 and, therefore, the resultant header beam 10 of theillustrated embodiment is extruded primarily from aluminum, although itis understood that additional and alternative materials may be used toform the header beam 10. It is also contemplated that the header beam 10or portions thereof may be formed from alternative metals and may bealternatively roll formed, hydroformed, or alternatively joined, such asby laser or arc welding.

The beam segments 118, as shown at step 120 of FIG. 8, are unstacked,measured, and centered on a conveyor. The conveyor feeds the beamsegments to a trimming station 121 where the rear flange 58 that extendscontinuously along the length of the beam segment 118 is trimmed. Morespecifically, the rear flange 58 is cut to form an elongated cutout 59that defines rearward projections of the rear flange 58 proximate theend portions 32. It is contemplated that the rear flange 58 may bealternatively struck or otherwise cut to remove the elongated piece ofthe rear flange 58 that forms the elongated cutout 59.

As also shown in FIG. 8, at step 122, the end portions 32 of the beamsegment 118 are clamped with a bending device 124 that securely attachesto the end portions 32 of the beam segment 118. The bending device 124in the illustrated embodiment has two clamping units 126 that clamp theend portions 32 equally to center the beam segment 118 between the twoclamping units 126. At step 128, the bending device 124 moves theclamping units 126 in generally opposite directions to stretch bend thecentral portion 24 the beam segment 118 in a shaped that conforms to thegenerally consistent curvature 28 across the central portion 24 of thebeam segment 118. More specifically, the bending device 124 stretchbends the beam segment 118 in three dimensions, such that the rearflange 58 and the rear wall 92 and the bottom wall 88 (FIG. 5A) of thebody portion 54 undergo some compression in the stretch bending process.However, the elongated cutout 59 in the rear flange 58 significantlyreduces compression in the rear flange 58 to prevent buckling orundesirable curvature during the stretch bending process. It isunderstood that in additional embodiments, the bending device 124 mayhave one clamping unit 126 that moves relative to a stationary clampingunit 126 to stretch and bend the beam segment 118 to the curvature 28.The clamping units 126 are released from the beam segment 118 in step130, and the end portions of the beam segment remain generally straight,as previously described.

Still referring to FIG. 8, at step 132, a press with a cutting die 133strikes the front flange 36 of the beam segment 118 with a pattern thatprovides generally uniform front edges 66 of the front flanges 36 acrossproduction of multiple beam segments 118. More specifically, the frontflange 36 is struck to form the front edge 66 that is parallel to thecurvature 28 proximate the end portions 32 of the beam for engaging thewindshield 30. The cutting die 133 also forms the series of notches 40on the center region 38 of the front flange 36 to reduce tension in thefront flange 36 caused by the stretch bending process and to providepoints of connection for the forward edge 17 of the roof panel 16. Thenotches 40 interface with the roof panel 16 to also provide an area torelieve fluid buildup between the front flange 36 and the roof panel 16(FIG. 3), such as during the painting process of the vehicle body.Further, cutting the notches 40 in the front flange 36 also provides aweight savings in the center region 38 of front flange 36, whichincreases the load bearing capacity of the header beam 10 and reducesthe overall weight of the header beam 10.

At steps 134 and 136, as shown in FIG. 8, the top and bottom surfaces70, 56 of the body portion 54 of the beam segment 118 are machined andhydroformed to create the apertures 78, openings 68, the inwarddepression 104, and other features on the body portion 54, as previouslydescribed. In additional embodiments, several of the steps, includingsteps 134 and 136, may be done simultaneously, in additional separatesteps, or may be done in any combination of steps. Furthermore, themachining and hydroforming may be replaced entirely or partially forforming any one of the features with alternative forming means, such asdrilling, stamping, various forms of cutting, or other forming means asgenerally understood by one having ordinary skill in the art.

An additional flowchart is shown in FIG. 9, illustrating anotherembodiment of the method of forming the header beam 10 having several ofthe steps shown in FIG. 8. As shown, in the illustrated embodiment asingle CNC machine performs steps 128 and 132 along with performing acheck for the appropriate bend to the curvature 28 and a check for theappropriately oriented front flange 36 proximate the end portions 32 andthe center region 38. Upon checking the machining of the front flange36, a second CNC machine performs steps 134 and 136 in addition totouching up the elongated cutout 59 in the rear flange 58 and cuttingthe ends to make the front flange 36 and the machined holes symmetricalabout the midpoint of the header beam 10 and any other refining to putthe header beam 10 within the manufacturing tolerances. A last step 138of the illustrated embodiment includes the finishing of the header beam10, including de-burring, blowing off any debris on the header beam 10,laser etching an identification number and/or code, and heat treatingthe header beam 10. It is contemplated that the header beam 10 may betreated with heat or other means of altering the hardness of the beam atany point of the forming processes, as generally understood by onehaving ordinary skill in the art. Further, upon forming the beam segment118 into the header beam 10, the end portions 32 of the beam segment 118are attached to the A-pillars 18 of the vehicle 42 (FIG. 2), the roofpanel 16 is attached to the series of notches 40 and other attachmentfeatures on the front edge 66 or other portions of the header beam 10(FIG. 3), and the windshield 30 is attached to the front edge 66 (FIG.1), as generally shown and described above.

It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art thatconstruction of the described invention and other components is notlimited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of theinvention disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety ofmaterials, unless described otherwise herein.

For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of itsforms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining oftwo components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to oneanother. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature.Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical ormechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrallyformed as a single unitary body with one another or with the twocomponents. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removableor releasable in nature unless otherwise stated.

It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement ofthe elements of the invention as shown in the exemplary embodiments isillustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the presentinnovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, thoseskilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciatethat many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes,dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements,values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors,orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novelteachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example,elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple partsor elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, theoperation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, thelength or width of the structures and/or members or connector or otherelements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustmentpositions provided between the elements may be varied. It should benoted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may beconstructed from any of a wide variety of materials that providesufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors,textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications areintended to be included within the scope of the present innovations.Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be madein the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desired andother exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of thepresent innovations.

It will be understood that any described processes or steps withindescribed processes may be combined with other disclosed processes orsteps to form structures within the scope of the present invention. Theexemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrativepurposes and are not to be construed as limiting.

It is also to be understood that variations and modifications can bemade on the aforementioned structure without departing from the conceptsof the present invention, and further it is to be understood that suchconcepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless theseclaims by their language expressly state otherwise.

We claim:
 1. A vehicle frame comprising: a unitary header beam havingstraight end portions and a central windshield curved portion extendingtherebetween, the straight end portions attached to vehicle A-pillars;forward and rearward legs disposed within a body portion of the unitaryheader beam that cooperatively divide the unitary header beam into aplurality of parallel and uninterrupted box sections extending an entirelength of the unitary header beam; and a front flange extending forwardfrom one of the plurality of parallel and uninterrupted box sections forengaging a windshield.
 2. The vehicle frame of claim 1, wherein theunitary header beam is an extruded member, wherein opposing outer endsof the unitary header beam are in generally perpendicular alignment to alength of the unitary header beam.
 3. The vehicle frame of claim 1,wherein the plurality of parallel and uninterrupted box sections includea forward box chamber, a central box chamber, and a rear box chamber,and wherein fasteners extend through the central box chamber to attachthe unitary header beam to the vehicle A-pillars.
 4. The vehicle frameof claim 3, wherein the forward box chamber and the central box chamberare each partially defined by the forward leg, and wherein the centralbox chamber and the rear box chamber are each partially defined by therearward leg.
 5. The vehicle frame of claim 1, wherein a center regionof the front flange includes a series of notches that receive a roofpanel.
 6. The vehicle frame of claim 5, wherein the front flangeincludes an edge that protrudes forward along the center region todefine a tongue portion of the roof panel that extends over thewindshield.
 7. The vehicle frame of claim 6, wherein the body portion ofthe unitary header beam proximate the straight end portions remainsgenerally straight relative to the edge of the front flange, and whereinthe edge of the front flange proximate the straight end portions isgenerally parallel with the central windshield curved portion forattaching to the windshield.
 8. The vehicle frame of claim 1, furthercomprising: a rear flange of the unitary header beam that extendsrearward from the body portion to form an elongated cutout that definesrearward projecting members proximate the straight end portions, andwherein the rearward projecting members couple with an upper surface ofthe vehicle A-pillars.
 9. The vehicle frame of claim 1, wherein the bodyportion defines apertures on a bottom surface of the body portion thatextend into at least one of the uninterrupted box sections, wherein theapertures receive fasteners to engage a vehicle headliner with theunitary header beam.